NewzIntel.com

Category: Environment

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Auckland News – Hapū-led partnership launched to protect globally significant ecosystems and endangered species of the Kaipara

    Source: Auckland Council

    Launch of Poipoia Te Kākano – A groundbreaking hapū-led initiative for the Kaipara

    A partnership agreement to protect the delicate ecosystems and endangered species of the Kaipara catchment, an area of global ecological significance, was signed into effect today between its key partners Te Uri o Hau, Te Roroa, Ngā Maunga Whakahii,  Auckland Council, Northland Regional Council, and the Department of Conservation.

    The historic agreement was signed at Te Hana Te Ao Marama Marae, a significant cultural place that reflects commitment to community-driven conservation.

    The initial aim of the partnership, named Puawai ki Kaipara, is to rid the five pivotal peninsulas (105,000 hectares) encircling the Kaipara Harbour of pest animals, including possums, rats, stoats, weasels, ferrets, pigs, and feral cats. The project then plans to extend into the entire Kaipara catchment area – an additional 543,000 hectares.  

    The area’s delicate ecosystems provide refuge for many endangered species, including the tara iti (fairy tern), mātātā (North Island fernbird), and kiwi. The coastal dunes and dune lakes along the western coast provide habitat for matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bittern), moho pererū (banded rail), tūturiwhatu (New Zealand dotterel), and other species.

    Kaipara Moana is a migratory bird habitat of international significance. Rare species, such as the kuaka (bar-tailed godwit), use the harbour for feeding in summer before returning to the northern hemisphere to breed, while the wetland areas provide feeding and roosting grounds for migratory waders.

    Auckland Council Policy and Planning Committee Chair, Councillor Richard Hills says the support Auckland Council is providing Poipoia Te Kākano will help align community and council activities on this important environmental initiative.

    “Poipoia Te Kākano is about working together for the protection of the special ecosystems inhabited by many endangered indigenous species that are pressured by introduced pest animals,” Cr Hills says.  

    “This initiative will focus on predator control, restoring native species and protecting an ecological sanctuary that acts as a haven for migratory birdlife from all over the world, and as nature’s corridor between Auckland and Northland. What we do to protect this precious area has a flow-on effect for other ecologically significant areas in Aotearoa,” he says.

    Auckland Council General Manager Environmental Services Samantha Hill says the partnership represents a shared goal to protect ecosystems and species that are profoundly important.

    “The dunes, lakes and the surrounding forest and wetlands are of cultural and ecological significance to so many. As caretakers of the natural environment, we have a collective responsibility to protect and restore it, and the taonga species that live within it,” she says.

    “We are uniting in this partnership to align our efforts and resources so that we can make a lasting impact, by working together to more effectively control a range of pest animals that threaten this taonga.”  

    Poipoia Te Kākano Project Lead Victoria Kurupō comments, “Our combined partnership has emerged from one united goal: to combat the predator invasions threatening the region’s biodiversity, and reflects our guiding philosophy, embodied in the whakatauki “Poipoia te Kākano, Kia Puāwai”, meaning “Nurture the seed and it will blossom”.

    “Our work is deeply rooted in the principles of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and mātauranga (traditional knowledge). This initiative is about creating a sustainable future for both our environment and our communities,” she says.    

    “With support from Predator Free 2050 Ltd, we have made significant strides in assessing and planning our predator elimination strategies, and an intensive feasibility study has guided us in identifying the needs of each peninsula.”    

    Ms Kurupō adds that the initial focus on the five Kaipara Peninsulas – Poutō, Hukatere (Tinopai), Puketōtara (Ōneriri), Ōkahukura (Tāporapora), and Te Korowai o Tonga (South Head) is inspired by the legendary taniwha Pokopoko Whiti te Rā.

    Kia Puawai ki Kaipara (the partnership) is a Kaipara Uri-led, Tiriti o Waitangi partnership comprising Te Uri o Hau, Ngā Maunga Whakahii, Te Roroa, Auckland Council, Northland Regional Council, and the Department of Conservation. It is one of two Māori-led Predator Free 2050 projects in Auckland.

    Read this and other stories on OurAuckland: https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greenpeace – Cook Islands civil society calls for ocean protection from deep sea mining during underwater minerals meeting

    Source: Greenpeace

    Rarotonga, Cook Islands – 150 people paddled out into the port of Avarua, Rarotonga, on Wednesday, deploying a floating banner that calls for ocean protection while an international seabed minerals conference is taking place across town. Another 300 people joined the action on Avarua Harbour.
    Civil society groups Te Ipukarea Society, Kōrero O Te Ōrau and Our Ocean Ancestors convened the peaceful flotilla to demonstrate community opposition to deep sea mining – a sentiment echoed by communities across the Pacific.
    Alanna Smith, Director of Te Ipukarea Society, says the sail-out event is an opportunity to highlight to the world that there is local opposition to deep sea mining in the Cook Islands.
    “Te Ipukarea Society supports a precautionary pause to deep sea mining to ensure robust and independent environmental research is being carried out in our ocean, as well as more time being spent towards meaningful information sharing with our people regarding the environmental risks and impacts of deep sea mining.
    “We are still very much in a period of discovering new learnings about how the deep sea functions, for example, very new research highlighting polymetallic nodules being a source of producing dark oxygen in the deep ocean and potential risks to migratory tuna fish stock through pollutants found in excess sediment brought up from the seafloor.”
    The Underwater Minerals Conference is the largest annual convention of mining companies, governments and academics from around the world. It’s sponsored by Moana Minerals and other deep sea mining-linked companies.
    During conference events, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown reiterated the government’s plan to be at the forefront of seabed mining.
    Greenpeace campaigner Juressa Lee (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Rarotonga) is in Avarua in solidarity with the groups, and calls for the community to be heard.
    “While this minerals conference is underway, the local community is out here calling for ocean protection, not pillage. Indigenous People of the Cook Islands and the Pacific have thousands of years of Indigenous knowledge, cultural ties to and guardianship of the moana. Today they are calling for the health and protection of the ocean to be the priority.
    “Efforts to start destructive deep sea mining are being led by the same colonial, extractive mindsets that have caused a huge amount of damage and harm to the climate, environment, biodiversity and Indigenous rights, and Pacific Peoples are on the frontline. Communities here in Rarotonga, in Aotearoa and across the Pacific are standing up to protect the ocean for many generations to come, and Greenpeace stands with them in solidarity.
    “These mining companies, governments and greedy investors are promising riches from these deep-sea ‘treasures’, but this cannot be at the expense of a healthy and thriving ocean, on which we all depend.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Enabling change that matters: the Daintta ACE supplier story

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    How ACE provided the consultants with a platform for growth, the ability to showcase quality work and access to new customers they wouldn’t otherwise have met.

    Technical and business consultancy Daintta was founded on the values of transparency, fairness and daring with a mission to put staff and customers first.

    Starting with just three staff in 2020, it now has over 60 engineers and technical and business consultants as well as horizon scanning and innovation specialists. The company prides itself on having a diverse workforce as well as creating an environment that enables people to bring the best of themselves to work and thrive.

    Daintta has been a member of the Vivace community since late 2020 and its core expertise areas are:

    • digital intelligence, bringing disparate datasets together through capabilities such as data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to enable greater insights
    • cybersecurity and data privacy, helping companies become more resilient and
    • networks and communication, helping organisations embrace new and emerging technologies

    Navigating complexity

    One thing that links much of Daintta’s work inside and outside the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE) is complex project delivery says Abu Sayed, the company’s chief client officer.

    He said: “Most of the work we do doesn’t have a clear-cut solution, and so what we’re doing is helping customers navigate through the complexity and untangle some of that.

    “We’re the company that enables change that truly matters, it’s kind of our tagline, and we do that by helping clients leverage the opportunities uncertainty produces. Ultimately, most of our work is helping clients strengthen their ability to deliver their mission.

    “We work really well with ACE because ACE is all about working alongside the customer, embracing innovation and willing to be daring.”

    Daintta’s first commission with ACE was supporting a workshop, and the company has since gone from “strength to strength”. Today its plays an active role in pulling together collaborative rainbow teams of suppliers to respond to client problems. Daintta enjoys working with both new and established ACE community members and is comfortable either leading or supporting commissions, ensuring that the team’s expertise as well as knowledge of ACE best practice is shared.

    Significant pieces of work for ACE include helping develop a business case for the UK Telecoms Lab, providing telco subject matter experts as part of a rainbow team. This was successful in helping secure funding, and Daintta stayed on to work directly with the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology to help build the lab and transition it to operational. Today, Daintta continues to provide experts to develop this capability.

    Another project involved creating a data strategy for a law enforcement body, including discovery to understand what data existed, where it was stored and how it could be used. A visual ‘data landscape’ was then created to help understand how available data could be used to help answer investigative questions.

    A third piece of work was around understanding the requirements for a secure development environment for law enforcement, for use cases involving technologies such as machine learning, AI and graphing technologies as well as unstructured data, and then creating a prototype intelligence search capability.

    Sayed said: “ACE has undoubtedly provided us with a platform for growth. It has given us an opportunity to demonstrate the quality of our work and the expertise of our people. And it has provided us with access to customers that we would not have otherwise come into contact with, accelerating our growth by 12 to 15 months.

    “It’s also unique – no other government framework has the kind of sense of community that ACE has fostered, because people are competing for work but collaborating a lot more than they are competing. That allows the best ideas to come forward and really make a difference to the customer.”

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Greenpeace USA: For People and Planet

    Source: Greenpeace –

    ALERT: Big Oil is suing Greenpeace USA

    Greenpeace is facing a $300 million lawsuit from Big Oil that threatens to silence our vital work for people and the planet. Can you join us in our fight back?

    Our Work

    We’ve been campaigning for a green and peaceful future for over 50 years — and we’re not stopping now. It’s time to rise up like never before and fight for our climate and communities.

    View our work

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Movie parties with chemists and excursions to a city farm: what activities for schoolchildren are held in the VDNKh Museum City

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Children can study the secrets of the Universe, learn the secrets of Leo Tolstoy’s novels and comprehend the basics of the exact sciences not only in schools, but also in city playgrounds, for example inMuseum city VDNKh. Here you can get acquainted with the achievements in the field of physics and cosmonautics, learn about the history of writing and modern art. And five thematic routes: “Technologies”, “Society”, “Art”, “Ecology”, “National Cultures”.

    We tell you about the venues where the most interesting excursions for teenagers take place, where chemists organize movie parties, and what surprises schoolchildren will find at the Cosmonautics and Aviation Center.

    Who creates vaccines and how does a bioreactor work?

    Exploring the world of the smallest living organisms and uncovering the secrets of genetics can be difficult, but VDNKh turns even the most difficult activities into an exciting game. The country’s main exhibition grounds feature Center for Modern Biotechnology “Museum “Biotech”” (Pavilion No. 30 “Microbiological Industry”). Schoolchildren from six to nine years old will be treated to a quiz excursion “A Journey with the Little Prince through the Biotech Museum”The fairytale hero will tell how he used biotechnology to save the planet from pollution, heal people and grow unusual flowers.

    Children aged 10 and over can take part in the master class. “Isolation of DNA from plant fruits”. They will not only learn about the structure and selection of plants, but also conduct a scientific experiment and isolate DNA on their own. You can come to such an exciting activity with your classmates.

    During the sightseeing tour, middle and high school students will learn what happens in a bioreactor, how a city farm works, who creates vaccines, and the difference between plastic and bioplastic. They can also see the glow of bioluminescent plants.

    Amazing Microworld and Chemists’ Movie Party

    Those who want to feel like a real biologist and study the microworld are also welcome in Pavilion No. 31 “Geology”. Here in 2022, the site of the State Biological Museum named after K.A. Timiryazev opened. Young researchers will appreciate the classes “Let’s say you have a microscope.”, “Living – non-living” And“Microsecrets of rocks”.

    You can study botany and ecology not only alone, but also with classmates. The pavilion has a program for schools “Island of Discoveries”. Museum staff conduct both theoretical classes, where they explain complex topics, and interactive classes, where schoolchildren learn to use a microscope. Details can be found on the museum website and by phone: 7 499 252⁠-36⁠-81.

    Schoolchildren interested in chemistry will also appreciate the educational and exhibition space – the pavilion “House of Polymers” “Sibur” (Pavilion No. 12), which introduces the complex world of petrochemicals. Daily excursions here tell about the polymer composition of everyday household items, clothing, housing, cars and even medical supplies. Every weekend at 13:00 the pavilion hosts chemical shows for the little ones, and at 16:00 – movie nights for high school and middle school students. All events are free.

    Quantum Physics and the Nuclear Industry

    You can conduct spectacular, yet simple experiments in a real laboratory at the Atom Museum (Pavilion No. 19). There are places for chemical and physical experiments, modern microscopes and a high-tech equipment area. Master classes are organized here for middle and high school students.

    For children aged six to nine, the museum offers classes called “Science at Your Fingertips”. At the “X-Rays” master class, children study quantum physics and create applique postcards. Classes are held in groups of up to 15 people.

    Every Saturday, the museum organizes meetings of the Family Day project. At these, children from six to 16 years old, together with their parents, can learn more about the nuclear industry, make a wind generator with their own hands, and learn how to convert chemical energy into thermal energy.

    The pavilion also hosts the “Atom Children’s Academy” project, where 10–12 year olds take classes in physics and chemistry, instilling an interest in the world around them through scientific experiments.

    From “Cosmos” to “Atom”: how the VDNKh Museum City is organizedGet in the mood for studying: VDNKh invites schoolchildren and students to the Museum City on the eve of the academic year

    How Bees Live and Why Butterflies Are Needed

    It is important not only to learn about the world around us, but also to preserve it. Pavilion No. 29 will tell you how you can take care of the environment even at a very young age. “Floriculture and landscaping”. For example, on the excursion “Fluttering Flowers” guests will be able to study butterflies, learn about their role and careful attitude to nature. And participants of the quest “What does a seed dream about?” will figure out how butterflies are connected with other insects and what seeds are for.

    During the “Immersion in Nature” and “Flower Stories” sightseeing tours, young visitors will learn about the pavilion’s exhibition spaces, the theory of plant origins, and the most unusual representatives of flora. Participants in the “Incredible Insects” tour will learn how ants live. You can sign up for these events by calling: 7 495 966-09-27.

    Pavilion No. 28 is dedicated to the hard-working insects without which life on our planet would be impossible. “Beekeeping”. In it you can learn how an apiary is arranged, what types of hives there are and how bees differ from each other. Participants of the excursion “About bees and not only” will be told how people managed to tame these insects and how they live in an apiary. You can visit the pavilion with an entrance ticket, and to sign up for a tour, call: 7 499 252-36-81.

    For future astronauts

    Those who are attracted by the mysterious expanses of the Universe are awaited in the center “Cosmonautics and Aviation” (Pavilion No. 34). Here, guests travel through the solar system, learn about the history of space exploration, and even learn how to operate aircraft.

    Children will be interested in quest excursions “School of Young Cosmonauts” And“Agent Cosmo Investigates. The Mystery of the Little Green Men”, where they will learn how a rocket works and help aliens in trouble.

    The pavilion also features interactive exhibits such as flight simulators, the 5D cinema “Space Sphere”, and many others, optical binoculars and a star room, and guests are greeted by the robot Fedor. In addition, the center collaborates with Moscow schools and conducts group excursions for its exhibitions for students starting from the fifth grade.

    From the first alphabet to the epic novel

    Schoolchildren who are particularly interested in studying history and literature are invited to attend classes to the Museum of Slavic Literature “Word” (Pavilion No. 58). Here you will learn about the development of writing in Rus’, the first alphabets and the most ancient works.

    Children from eight to 14 years old can take part in a quest excursion “Cyril and Methodius: Mission Possible” and take a trip around Russian cities. And on excursions “Missing Letters” The children will learn what language our ancestors spoke, who invented the alphabet, what a printing press was for, and which letters Peter I abolished.

    In addition, the museum holds classes for school groups. For example, on an excursion “Cyrillic in Space and Time: From the Moment of Creation to the Present Day” Participants are told about the first alphabets and ancient works. Interactive exhibits such as a monastery cell, a zemstvo school and a printing workshop will help you immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the distant past.

    You can learn interesting facts about writers and immerse yourself in the world of Russian literature of the early 19th century in Pavilion No. 61 “Tsentrosoyuz”. Here the L. N. Tolstoy State Museum opened an exhibition “Leo Tolstoy. “War and Peace”. Living Pages”. It is dedicated to the life of the classic and his work on the novel of the same name. The exhibition features unique exhibits, including cannonballs from the Borodino field, the Masonic ring of the Tolstoy family, and drawings by participants in the military campaign of 1812.

    For young creators and artists

    Children who are interested in creativity will find it interesting to visit workshops “Cascade digital” (Pavilion No. 49). This is a school of contemporary art for teenagers aged 13 to 18. Here, high school students, together with professional artists, develop projects in the fields of journalism, design and architecture, and also come up with ideas for exhibitions and city festivals.

    Last year, nine areas were opened in the “Cascade Digital” workshops. For example, in the “Art is Dead, but We Are Not Yet” section, teenagers learned to notice unusual phenomena around them and analyzed significant works of art, while participants in the “Oscillations Laboratory” explored the nature of sound and the peculiarities of its perception.

    This academic year, which will run from October to May, will feature the “Cascade of Regions” section. Its participants will focus on the work of local artists and their impact on the urban environment. In addition, the “Performance as an Algorithm (Please Don’t Dance)” and “Textiles, Costume, and Fashion” sections will open, dedicated to the professions of performer and designer. Classes will be held both in person and online. Applications are open on the project website will end on October 24.

    VDNKh is a center of education: what can you learn at the country’s main exhibitionLearning is interesting: what educational projects for children and teenagers are there at VDNKh

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/144376073/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Reportage: Micronesian militarism – considering climate change

    Source: Pacific Media Centre

    Headline: Micronesian militarism – considering climate change – Analysis published with permission of PMC

    Event date and time: 

    Wed, 30/05/2018 – 4:30pm – 6:00pm

    PACIFIC MEDIA CENTRE SEMINAR 4/2018:
    MICRONESIAN MILITARISM – CONSIDERING CLIMATE CHANGE
    Pacific Media Centre’s postdoctoral research fellow, Dr Sylvia C Frain, explores the connections between climate change and United States (US) militarism in Micronesia and how both impact the daily life of Micronesians living in Hawai‘i. She is most interested in the everyday experience of Micronesians in relation to climate change and US militarisation from local perspectives. So often media narratives are dominated by outside interests and the US military, which overshadows discussion on climate change. Dr Frain seeks to highlight Micronesian narratives and the role that new media plays in sharing these experiences.

    Dr Frain is traveling to the North Pacific in April/May and will report back after attending the 7th International Environmental Futures Conference, held at the East-West Center, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, as well as speaking with students and faculty at the University of Hawai‘i, participants with the Jobs Corps programme on Māui, and those living in the Marianas Archipelago on the islands of Guam, Saipan, and Tinian.

    Dr Frain will also facilitate a new media workshop open to all community members in the Marianas Archipelago who are interested in using new media platforms to disseminate research. She will assist the participants in converting their research into a format that is shareable across new media platforms (including, but not limited to: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Change.org).

    Who: Dr Sylvia C Frain, research fellow at the Pacific Media Centre

    When: May 30, 2018
    4.30pm-6pm

    Where: Sir Paul Reeves Building
    Auckland University of Technology
    City Campus
    Room WG903A

    Contact: Dr Frain

    Event on Facebook

     

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Development News – Consent granted for Birkenhead development – EPA

    Source: Environmental Protection Authority

    An independent panel has approved resource consent, subject to conditions, for the construction of the Verran Mews residential development in Birkenhead, Auckland.
    Sweet New Zealand Co. Limited applied for resource consent under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020. The application involves subdividing approximately 2.6 hectares of land in Birkenhead.
    The resource consent conditions are in the decision report on the page linked below.
    The decision comes 129 working days after the application was lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority.
    The Environmental Protection Authority is not involved in the decision-making. We provide procedural advice and administrative support to the panel convenor, Judge Laurie Newhook, and the expert consenting panel he appoints.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HK-SZ ecological meeting held

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan today led a delegation to Shenzhen to attend the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Working Group on Environmental Protection meeting where various collaboration issues were discussed.

    The Hong Kong and Shenzhen delegations discussed landfill management, marine pollution prevention and control, and cross-border transportation using new energy.

    Both sides also reported on the progress of various work items.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has completed a freezing survey of the number and locations of oyster rafts in Deep Bay, and will continue to maintain close communication with Shenzhen regarding the management of the oyster rafts.

    Regarding the North East New Territories Landfill, Hong Kong has implemented a series of improvement measures and will continue to collaborate with Shenzhen to further enhance odour control at the landfill.

    Mr Tse said he looked forward to continuing to strengthen communication and co-operation with Shenzhen on ecological and environmental protection through the joint working group to enhance the work on environmental protection and ecology, as well as make proactive contributions to the country’s ecological civilisation.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Murphy Administration Releases Innovative 2024 Statewide Water Supply Plan to Modernize Water Policy and Enhance Climate Resilience

    Source: US State of New Jersey

    TRENTON – Kicking off Climate Week, Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette today announced the release of the final 2024 New Jersey Statewide Water Supply Plan, which for the first time assesses water supply challenges resulting from climate change and offers climate resilience solutions. Climate Week provides an opportunity for the public to learn about the many ways climate change is threatening the planet and the steps that can be taken to become more resilient and mitigate its impacts.

     

    The water supply plan concludes that, under normal conditions and in most regions, New Jersey has adequate volumes of source water supply and is well-positioned to address water supply challenges as long as the state continues to take actions to mitigate the threats of climate change, aging infrastructure and emerging contaminants.

    “The Statewide Water Supply Plan plays a critical role to inform local water supply management decisions by presenting the newest science to better prepare us for the challenges brought on by our changing climate,” said Commissioner LaTourette. “In addition to upgrading our aging infrastructure, a healthy water supply is dependent on constant reevaluation of how we can use water more efficiently to protect it for future generations.”

    Consistent with the state’s comprehensive approach to making New Jersey resilient to the worsening impacts of climate change, the 2024 plan seeks to assess the threats of climate change to the state’s water supply. Of particular concern are temperature, precipitation, and sea-level changes, which will significantly impact water quantity, where and when it is available, and its quality. The plan also examines how emerging contaminants may impact water supply.

    “New Jersey’s climate is changing. From increased temperatures to sea-level rise, these climate impacts can pose a threat to our water supplies if not properly addressed by proactive planning, management, and permitting,” said State Geologist Steven Domber. “By conducting comprehensive monitoring that factors in climate impacts such as increased temperatures, we can develop models and identify trends that will help local water users make informed decisions to ensure New Jerseyans have access to reliable and safe supplies of water now and in the future.”

    A 60-day public comment period followed the release of the draft plan on February 26, 2024. The DEP then held two public meetings (one in-person and one virtual) and reviewed and incorporated comments from those meetings before finalizing the plan. Both the plan and a summary response to comment report are available at dep.nj.gov/water-supply-plan.

    The DEP has also developed a new interactive website that outlines key information from the plan for specific audiences, including residential users, water professionals and others to summarize key plan topics, such as climate change and environmental justice. The website can be found at dep.nj.gov/water-supply-plan/storymap. The site will be updated as additional data and plan updates become available.

    Water Supply Planning

    The Water Supply Management Act (N.J.S.A. 58:1A-13) directs the DEP to prepare the New Jersey Statewide Water Supply Plan, analyze water supply data, examine associated risks, study projections, and make recommendations for effective management of the state’s water supplies.

    The initial version of the plan was adopted in 1982 and updated in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1991, and 1993. Major revisions occurred in 1996 and 2017. The 2024 plan will be updated again in five years, but some aspects may be revised sooner.

    The plan must carry out its assessments and recommendations from both statewide and regional perspectives to pursue comprehensive management addressing the diversity of water supply issues faced in different areas of New Jersey.

    Drafted to align with the DEP’s related water regulations and policies, the plan provides guidance for state and regional groups making decisions concerning water supply. One of the primary goals of the plan is to put forward defined, actionable steps that the DEP can take to ensure water supplies are sufficient, in quality and quantity, to meet existing and future needs.

    Water Supply Challenges Assessed

    New Jersey has repeatedly faced a confluence of water resource challenges that have tested both infrastructure and responsiveness. Extremely low precipitation and streamflow in summer 2022 led the DEP to declare a Drought Watch, the first in more than six years. During the same period, aging infrastructure failed, resulting in massive water main breaks; water systems were required to address sources contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and harmful algal blooms were worsened by extremely warm temperatures. Additional challenges occurred in 2023, with four months experiencing near record temperatures and the state having its wettest December on record.

    The combination of these challenges in 2022 and 2023 severely tested the resilience of New Jersey’s management of water resources. Such conditions are expected to persist or worsen in the future, requiring the DEP and its partner institutions to delicately balance the management of water resources by carefully administering planning, regulatory, investment and incident response initiatives.

    Recommended Action Areas

    The availability of surface water, unconfined groundwater, and confined aquifers, the use of which varies geographically, was modeled to investigate potential shortages. Although not evenly distributed throughout the state, total natural water resource availability (including reservoirs) remains about the same as the 2017 New Jersey Statewide Water Supply Plan determined. However, current and forecasted use did change, and a few regions showed potential shortages. The plan provides details and recommendations to address these areas.


    To meet requirements and ensure that New Jerseyans continue to have ample, reliable, and safe supplies of water now and in the future, the following action areas are covered in the plan, with greater detail on each found in Chapter 8, and elsewhere throughout the plan:

    • Hydrologic Data, Monitoring, Models, and Assessments: The availability of long-term and real-time hydrologic datasets are critical pieces of information the DEP uses to quantify trends, characterize current conditions, and to build and calibrate models. This information is used to ultimately make informed decisions and to update future water supply plans.
    • Climate Change – Water Availability Research and Modeling: This plan and its recommendations benefit from the availability of sound and reliable climate change science. This science continues to evolve, and the DEP will remain committed to monitoring new developments, with a particularized focus on the regional and local impacts of climate change upon New Jersey and its natural resources. As new and additional climate change data becomes available, it will be utilized to improve DEP water supply models and monitoring methods to more effectively mitigate and manage climate change impacts to water resources.
    • Climate Change – Infrastructure Resilience Recommendations: The DEP develops recommendations and establishes criteria to improve the resilience of water infrastructure and mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change upon the state’s water supply, including through actions to reform relevant DEP policies, protocols, statutes, or regulations pertaining to water infrastructure assessments and modifications.
    • Regional and Statewide Water Supply Planning and Protection: Water supply planning is a critical element to ensure that the state continues to have adequate supplies of acceptable quality to meet all current and future needs, and to balance human uses with ecological needs. Regional and statewide planning is adaptive and evolves as new information becomes available or issues emerge. The plan prioritizes regions of New Jersey where future planning efforts should be focused.
    • Water Policy Modernization: The DEP is obligated and empowered to improve and protect water supply resources and water system infrastructure to ensure water availability and the delivery of safe drinking water to homes and businesses. In some cases, the federal and state laws and regulations that give rise to these obligations are fit for modernization to better position the state and its water providers to confront new and evolving water supply challenges.
    • Asset Management and Resilience: Maintenance and improvement of infrastructure is key to effective and successful water supply management, and critical to ensure the state has access to clean and plentiful drinking water. Proper asset management can reduce water incidents and emergencies, limit disruptions to customers, and reduce long-term costs.
    • Policies and Priorities for Efficient Water Use: The plan identifies key policy priorities for the DEP as it continues to regularly re-evaluate new technologies and research to ensure the responsible and efficient use of the state’s water resources.
    • Public Outreach: DEP is committed to continuing public education and engaging with people and communities it serves on key water supply issues and initiatives.
    The DEP’s Our Water’s Worth It campaign works to draw attention to the importance of clean water in our lives, from drinking water to supporting vibrant ecosystems and health places for recreation. An important focus of the campaign is educating the public on reducing potential lead exposure in drinking water.

    NEW YORK, NY — The U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of 24 governors representing approximately 60 percent of the U.S. economy and 55 percent of the U.S. population, today launched the Governors’ Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative to grow career pathways in climate and clean energy fields, strengthen workforce diversity, and jointly train 1 million new registered apprentices by 2035 across the Alliance’s states and territories.

    Today’s announcement was made at a Climate Week NYC event featuring Alliance co-chairs New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, founding member Washington Governor Jay Inslee, and White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi.

    “In New York, we’re showing how climate action and economic growth go hand-in-hand,” said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. “As a co-chair of the U.S. Climate Alliance, I’m proud to be collaborating with states, industry leaders, labor unions, higher education and community organizations to create the jobs of the future required to build a clean, equitable, and resilient economy. A skilled and well-prepared workforce will drive innovation, create new businesses, and ensure a sustainable, resilient future for our country.”

    “We need a climate-ready workforce — from EV technicians and heat pump installers to solar panel manufacturers — to meet our carbon reduction goals,” said New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. “The Executive Order I’m issuing today in conjunction with the Alliance’s new Workforce Initiative will help ensure that workers from all backgrounds have access to the skills and training needed for high-quality, climate-ready jobs across New Mexico.”

    “We’re aligning our ambitious climate policies with workforce development to have 1 million more workers poised to take these good-paying, union jobs that serve our communities and strengthen our economies,” said Washington Gov. Jay Gov. Inslee. “These are economy-wide jobs, not just in clean energy but building trades, land management, clean technology and more. Climate Alliance states have a track record of meeting our ambitious goals and that momentum continues today.”

    “Under President Biden and Vice President Harris’s leadership, we are bringing down the barriers to economic opportunity, lowering costs for American families, and catalyzing a renaissance of American-made manufacturing that is creating jobs across America. In fact, just last year, we added over 250,000 new American energy jobs — with clean energy jobs growing twice as fast as the rest of the sector,” said White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. “Governors across America are at the forefront of our efforts to spur growth in union jobs, expand American energy production, and invest in the economic success of our communities. Today’s announcement will help capitalize on our momentum to create a climate-ready workforce that is rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, communities, and industrial strength.” 

    The Initiative’s launch comes as historic federal investments, combined with ambitious state climate action, have unleashed a significant expansion of good-paying and union jobs in climate-ready fields — with millions more anticipated in the coming years under the Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This includes high-quality jobs not only in clean energy and clean technology sectors — such as wind, solar, electric vehicles, energy efficiency, and batteries — but also in fields associated with climate resilience and natural climate solutions.

    Under this Initiative, Alliance states and territories will collaborate to collectively support 1 million new workers in completing Registered Apprenticeship programs across the coalition by 2035. These programs, registered with the U.S. Department of Labor or federally approved State Apprenticeship Agencies, provide an especially valuable and proven career pathway, empowering workers to earn while they learn in key climate-ready occupations and industries.

    Alliance members will also advance a series of collective goals aimed at strengthening and expanding pathways into a wide variety of climate-ready professions critical to building a clean, equitable, and resilient net-zero future. The Initiative’s goals include boosting job quality and ensuring climate-ready employment pathways lead to good-paying, high-quality jobs; expanding opportunities for workers from underrepresented and underserved communities; and promoting the use of stackable and portable credentials in climate-ready fields to build transferable skills, support reskilling and upskilling, and strengthen workers’ economic mobility. A full list of the Initiative’s goals can be found here.

    Finally, to advance sector-specific strategies, Alliance members will work together through new multi-state cohorts focused on in-demand, climate-ready fields. These cohorts will provide a platform for states and territories to increase collaboration, share evidence-based practices, engage experts and stakeholders, and develop sectoral workforce solutions that can be scaled across the country. Cohorts to be launched in the Initiative’s first year will focus on careers in the following areas:

    • Clean Energy, Fuels, and Technologies: Led by Michigan and New Jersey, this cohort will focus on careers in the design, construction, and maintenance of a clean, affordable, and resilient power system; the manufacturing and deployment of zero-emission vehicles and technologies; and the development and distribution of alternative, low-carbon fuels.
    • Clean Buildings and Industry: Led by Maine and Massachusetts, this cohort will focus on careers in the engineering, design, construction, retrofitting, maintenance, and operation of buildings and industrial processes that are clean, energy-efficient, healthy, and resilient.
    • Resilient Communities and Lands: Led by Arizona and Vermont, this cohort will focus on careers in the development and maintenance of safe, livable, and resilient communities; preparedness for and response to climate impacts such as extreme heat, wildfires, severe storms, flooding, and drought; and the deployment of natural climate solutions and climate-smart stewardship of our lands and waters. 

    The Initiative will be led by Alliance states and territories with support from the Alliance’s Secretariat. In implementing the Initiative, Alliance members will customize efforts to meet their individual needs and challenges, while working together to achieve the collective goals. States and territories will also collaborate directly with their workforce development system partners, labor unions, higher education institutions, industry, and other key partners that bring substantial expertise and experience in this work.

    This Initiative builds on a number of federal-state collaborations between the Alliance’s members and the Biden-Harris Administration, including a White House convening with Alliance governors’ offices in May focused on creating good-paying jobs and mobilizing a diverse workforce in climate and clean energy.

    Additional information on the Governors’ Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why home insurance rates are rising so fast across the US – climate change plays a big role

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Andrew J. Hoffman, Professor of Management & Organizations, Environment & Sustainability, and Sustainable Enterprise, University of Michigan

    The U.S. has seen a large number of billion-dollar disasters in recent years. AP Photo/Mark Zaleski

    Millions of Americans have been watching with growing alarm as their homeowners insurance premiums rise and their coverage shrinks. Nationwide, premiums rose 34% between 2017 and 2023, and they continued to rise in 2024 across much of the country.

    To add insult to injury, those rates go even higher if you make a claim – as much as 25% if you claim a total loss of your home.

    Why is this happening?

    There are a few reasons, but a common thread: Climate change is fueling more severe weather, and insurers are responding to rising damage claims. The losses are exacerbated by more frequent extreme weather disasters striking densely populated areas, rising construction costs and homeowners experiencing damage that was once more rare.

    Hurricane Ian, supercharged by warm water in the Gulf of Mexico, hit Florida as a Category 4 hurricane in October 2022 and caused an estimated $112.9 billion in damage.
    Ricardo Arduengo/AFP via Getty Images

    Parts of the U.S. have been seeing larger and more damaging hail, higher storm surges, massive and widespread wildfires, and heat waves that kink metal and buckle asphalt. In Houston, what used to be a 100-year disaster, such as Hurricane Harvey in 2017, is now a 1-in-23-years event, estimates by risk assessors at First Street Foundation suggest. In addition, more people are moving into coastal and wildland areas at risk from storms and wildfires.

    Just a decade ago, few insurance companies had a comprehensive strategy for addressing climate risk as a core business issue. Today, insurance companies have no choice but to factor climate change into their policy models.

    Rising damage costs, higher premiums

    There’s a saying that to get someone to pay attention to climate change, put a price on it. Rising insurance costs are doing just that.

    Increasing global temperatures lead to more extreme weather, and that means insurance companies have had to make higher payouts. In turn, they have been raising their prices and changing their coverage in order to remain solvent. That raises the costs for homeowners and for everyone else.

    The importance of insurance to the economy cannot be understated. You generally cannot get a mortgage or even drive a car, build an office building or enter into contracts without insurance to protect against the inherent risks. Because insurance is so tightly woven into economies, state agencies review insurance companies’ proposals to increase premiums or reduce coverage.

    The insurance companies are not making political statements with the increases. They are looking at the numbers, calculating risk and pricing it accordingly. And the numbers are concerning.

    The arithmetic of climate risk

    Insurance companies use data from past disasters and complex models to calculate expected future payouts. Then they price their policies to cover those expected costs. In doing so, they have to balance three concerns: keeping rates low enough to remain competitive, setting rates high enough to cover payouts and not running afoul of insurance regulators.

    But climate change is disrupting those risk models. As global temperatures rise, driven by greenhouse gases from fossil fuel use and other human activities, past is no longer prologue: What happened over the past 10 to 20 years is less predictive of what will happen in the next 10 to 20 years.

    The number of billion-dollar disasters in the U.S. each year offers a clear example. The average rose from 3.3 per year in the 1980s to 18.3 per year in the 10-year period ending in 2024, with all years adjusted for inflation.

    With that more than fivefold increase in billion-dollar disasters came rising insurance costs in the Southeast because of hurricanes and extreme rainfall, in the West because of wildfires, and in the Midwest because of wind, hail and flood damage.

    Hurricanes tend to be the most damaging single events. They caused more than US$692 billion in property damage in the U.S. between 2014 and 2023. But severe hail and windstorms, including tornadoes, are also costly; together, those on the billion-dollar disaster list did more than $246 billion in property damage over the same period.

    As insurance companies adjust to the uncertainty, they may run a loss in one segment, such as homeowners insurance, but recoup their losses in other segments, such as auto or commercial insurance. But that cannot be sustained over the long term, and companies can be caught by unexpected events. California’s unprecedented wildfires in 2017 and 2018 wiped out nearly 25 years’ worth of profits for insurance companies in that state.

    To balance their risk, insurance companies often turn to reinsurance companies; in effect, insurance companies that insure insurance companies. But reinsurers have also been raising their prices to cover their costs. Property reinsurance alone increased by 35% in 2023. Insurers are passing those costs to their policyholders.

    What this means for your homeowners policy

    Not only are homeowners insurance premiums going up, coverage is shrinking. In some cases, insurers are reducing or dropping coverage for items such as metal trim, doors and roof repair, increasing deductibles for risks such as hail and fire damage, or refusing to pay full replacement costs for things such as older roofs.

    Some insurances companies are simply withdrawing from markets altogether, canceling existing policies or refusing to write new ones when risks become too uncertain or regulators do not approve their rate increases to cover costs. In recent years, State Farm and Allstate pulled back from California’s homeowner market, and Farmers, Progressive and AAA pulled back from the Florida market, which is seeing some of the highest insurance rates in the country.

    In some cases, insurers are restricting coverage. Roof repairs, like these in Fort Myers Beach, Fla., after Hurricane Ian, can be expensive and widespread after windstorms.
    Joe Raedle/Getty Images

    State-run “insurers of last resort,” which can provide coverage for people who can’t get coverage from private companies, are struggling too. Taxpayers in states such as California and Florida have been forced to bail out their state insurers. And the National Flood Insurance Program has raised its premiums, leading 10 states to sue to stop them.

    About 7.4% of U.S. homeowners have given up on insurance altogether, leaving an estimated $1.6 trillion in property value at risk, including in high-risk states such as Florida.

    No, insurance costs aren’t done rising

    According to NOAA data, 2023 was the hottest year on record “by far.” And 2024 could be even hotter. This general warming trend and the rise in extreme weather is expected to continue until greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are abated.

    In the face of such worrying analyses, U.S. homeowners insurance will continue to get more expensive and cover less. And yet, Jacques de Vaucleroy, chairman of the board of reinsurance giant Swiss Re, believes U.S. insurance is still priced too low to fully cover the risk from climate change.

    Andrew J. Hoffman does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Why home insurance rates are rising so fast across the US – climate change plays a big role – https://theconversation.com/why-home-insurance-rates-are-rising-so-fast-across-the-us-climate-change-plays-a-big-role-238939

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lieutenant Governor Primavera Visits School-Based Health Center at George Washington High School

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER – Today, Lt. Governor Primavera and Director of the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care visited a school-based health center at George Washington High School to learn more about the importance of these facilities to students and communities. The Lt. Governor was joined by a student, school staff, leadership from Denver Health and Denver Public Schools, the Youth Healthcare Alliance, and Senator Janice Marchman and Representative Emily Sirota. 

    “The Polis-Primavera administration has been working since day one to break down barriers to health care and these facilities are important avenues where students and staff can get important care in a convenient location. I appreciate the collaboration that goes into these centers and the opportunity it gives young people, helping them fulfill their potential,” said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. 

    Since taking office, the Polis-Primavera administration and the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care have made Colorado a national leader in reducing health care costs. The creation of Reinsurance and Colorado Option are connecting Coloradans with insurance coverage outside of an employer while saving them money. Through the Prescription Drug Affordability Board and capping the cost of insulin at $100 per month, the administration is helping Coloradans save money on prescription drugs. Colorado is also pursuing a waiver from the federal government to import lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada. These are just a few of the ways Colorado is increasing access to health care while lowering costs. 

    Earlier this year, Governor Polis signed SB24-034, which expands eligible uses for the grant program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) that supports school-based health centers to school-linked health services. These grants currently fund 59 operating SBHCs and four planning sites throughout Colorado. The SBHC Program also partners with other state agencies and grant programs to expand the services available in SBHCs.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Burgess Statement and Video on Passage of the Building Chips in America Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael C Burgess MD (R-TX)

    Semiconductors are necessary for some of the most vital technology we have today – from the phone in our pockets to insulin pumps and advanced medical imaging. This bill will cut through bureaucratic tape and streamline the National Environmental Policy Act’s regulations for microchip manufacturing which otherwise would have taken years to ever cross the finish line.

    Let me be clear, the NEPA process is valuable. The Environmental impact assessments and reviews that are conducted in this country are a pragmatic symbol of the American people’s commitment to environmental conservation and land management. However, there is work to be done on the efficiency of the process as a whole.

    Due to NEPA’s red tape, many semiconductor projects are delayed and manufacturers become discouraged in developing domestic manufacturing projects. Not only will this bill open job opportunities for thousands of people, but it also will empower our nation’s economic and national security goals. The Chips Act is an investment into domestic manufacturing projects.

    This legislation is important to Texas as we remain at the forefront of national resurgence in high-tech manufacturing. Streamlining the NEPA process will help companies in the semiconductor supply chain bring great economic prosperity to our state. I urge members to support this bill, thank you and I yield back.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brown Calls on U.S. Department of Agriculture to Allow Emergency Haying and Grazing for Ohio Farmers Experiencing Drought Conditions

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – With hay supplies being used three to four months earlier than expected, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) called on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to provide additional flexibility for Ohio farmers experiencing drought conditions to conduct emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program enrolled land. Brown’s letter amplifies the concerns raised by Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge, who wrote to Vilsack asking for these flexibilities for Ohio farmers.
    “I share Director Baldridge’s concern that most farmers experiencing intensifying drought conditions in Southern Ohio are not eligible for the existing USDA emergency haying and grazing allowance due to the fact that most CRP acres in Southeast Ohio are enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Program, ” wrote Brown.
    “As Ohio farmers work to withstand this historic drought, I ask that you grant ODA’s request and provide additional flexibilities to allow for emergency haying of CREP and SAFE acreage in Southeast Ohio,” Brown continued.
    Earlier this week, Brown hosted a news conference call with farmers and other leaders in Ohio agriculture to discuss the severe drought stretching across Southeast Ohio and share resources available to affected farmers. Ohio is currently experiencing the worst drought in the state in over a century. Last week, Brown also hosted a webinar in partnership with USDA’s Farm Service Agency to help connect farmers with federal resources related to the drought.
    “The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) appreciates Senator Brown’s support of the state’s request for USDA to allow emergency haying of acreage enrolled in various conversation programs,” said OCA President Mark Goecke of Allen County. “Cattle families in Southern and Southeastern Ohio are struggling to manage through a drought of historical proportions. The expanding drought has negatively impacted pasture and forage conditions statewide, but these areas have been battling the lack of rainfall all summer. Hay cuttings were severely limited, and the ongoing drought has forced producers to already feed their winter hay supplies, resulting in a dire situation to provide the feed needed for their cattle.”
    The full letter is HERE or below. Director Baldridge’s letter is HERE.
    Dear Secretary Vilsack:
    I write to draw your attention to the attached letter from Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) Director Brian Baldridge, requesting U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provide additional flexibility to conduct emergency haying of eligible Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres.
    I share Director Baldridge’s concern that most farmers experiencing intensifying drought conditions in Southern Ohio are not eligible for the existing USDA emergency haying and grazing allowance due to the fact that most CRP acres in Southeast Ohio are enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Program.
    As Ohio farmers work to withstand this historic drought, I ask that you grant ODA’s request and provide additional flexibilities to allow for emergency haying of CREP and SAFE acreage in Southeast Ohio.
    Thank you for your consideration; I ask that you please keep my office informed of any further action.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greenpeace thugs harass productive Kiwis

    Source: ACT Party

    “The Greenpeace protestors who have locked themselves in the Wellington offices of Straterra are nothing more than thugs harassing productive Kiwis who just want to build a wealthier country”, says ACT’s Energy and Resources spokesperson Simon Court.

    Greenpeace protestors have occupied the Wellington offices of the mining group Straterra. Three protestors have locked themselves inside the building, and two more have climbed onto an awning at the front of the building.

    “Not content with holding up renewable energy projects in court, Greenpeace have moved on to harassing the people representing one of our critical industries.

    “Greenpeace opposes mining anywhere and everywhere in New Zealand. Their anti-mining position is actually anti-progress and anti-humanity.

    “New Zealanders who wonder how they’re going get ahead in life and are considering mining as a career have only one option: move to Australia. New Zealanders need better jobs and higher incomes and that is what mining offers.

    “Greenpeace activists should consider doing something constructive with their lives instead of harassing productive New Zealanders who just want to get ahead.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ADB Joins Partnership for a Lead-Free Future

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    MANILA, PHILIPPINES (24 September 2024) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today announced a set of actions to mainstream lead exposure mitigation into its operations, as part of its participation in the newly formed Partnership for a Lead-Free Future, a global initiative led by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The partnership aims to eliminate childhood lead exposure by 2040.

    The initiative, launched at the United Nations General Assembly today, will target high-risk countries including Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, and Nepal, among others throughout Asia and the Pacific.

    ADB’s participation in the partnership underscores its ongoing commitment to addressing health and environmental challenges in developing Asia and the Pacific. Lead contamination, particularly from informal used lead-acid battery recycling sites, presents a major health crisis. Toxic lead exposure is affecting at least 400 million children in the region, leading to cognitive impairments, health complications, and major economic losses. The global economic cost of lead-related cognitive underdevelopment is estimated at about $1 trillion annually.

    “Lead exposure doesn’t just affect children’s health—it holds back entire economies,” said ADB Vice-President for East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Scott Morris. “The Partnership for a Lead-Free Future is an important step in addressing this environmental, health, and economic issue. We will dedicate ADB’s expertise and resources to help ensure that countries across Asia and the Pacific can mitigate lead exposure, enhance public health, and secure a healthier, more productive future for all.”

    ADB is embedding lead management into its broader environmental safeguards and technical assistance programs, and has already begun engaging with governments in Indonesia, India, and the Philippines to tackle lead contamination. The bank will co-host a technical side event on lead pollution at the 12th Asia Pacific Regional Forum on Health and Environment in Jakarta on 25 September, which will serve as a platform to advance the lead elimination agenda. Co-organized with the governments of Indonesia, Japan and Thailand, USAID, and the World Bank, the forum will highlight cutting-edge research on lead exposure and showcase effective strategies for reducing lead poisoning. 

    In collaboration with the Global Environment Facility and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, ADB is also developing the Chemical and Wastes Financing Partnership Facility, the first of its kind. This facility will scale chemical management, including lead mitigation, across the region. The initiative complements ADB’s work in managing hazardous waste, providing governments with the resources to regulate industries, replace hazardous materials, and enforce environmental standards.

    ADB plans to integrate lead elimination into its universal health care support programs, starting in the Philippines. Through these programs, ADB has been working to ensure equitable access to health services, address gender-specific health needs, and mitigate the health impacts of climate change.

    ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SCST visits Sichuan

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    SCST visits Sichuan
    SCST visits Sichuan
    *******************

         ​The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, is on his way to Chengdu, Sichuan, this morning (September 24), where he has been invited by the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda to attend the ceremony seeing off the two giant pandas “An An” and “Ke Ke”. The Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai, and representatives from Ocean Park Hong Kong are also joining the visit.           During his stay in Sichuan, Mr Yeung will visit the heritage sites and arts and cultural facilities in Chengdu to learn about the integrated development of culture and tourism, as well as the promotion of tourism development.           Mr Yeung will depart from Sichuan for Hong Kong on the evening of September 25. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, will be the Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, September 24, 2024Issued at HKT 10:22

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Kevin Yeung headed to Chengdu

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Kevin Yeung is on his way to Chengdu, Sichuan, where he has been invited by the China Conservation & Research Centre for the Giant Panda to attend a ceremony bidding farewell to An An and Ke Ke, two giant pandas bound for Hong Kong.

    Director of Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Mickey Lai and representatives from Ocean Park Hong Kong are joining Mr Yeung on the visit.

    Mr Yeung will also visit heritage sites and arts and cultural facilities in Chengdu to learn about the city’s integrated development of culture and tourism, and its promotion of tourism development.

    The tourism chief will depart for Hong Kong tomorrow evening. During his absence, Under Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Raistlin Lau will be Acting Secretary.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Transport – Transporting New Zealand calls for additional measures to support the Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle Fund

    Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

    National road freight association Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand has welcomed the launch of the Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle Fund (the LEHVF) but says additional policy changes and investment are required to support freight decarbonisation.
    The fund, administered by the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA) can contribute up to 25 per cent of the cost of new zero and low-emissions heavy vehicles. 
    The LEHVF can also contribute up to 25 per cent of the cost to convert existing higher emitting heavy vehicles to be powered by low-emissions technology – including hydrogen-diesel dual fuel engines. EECA has estimated the LEHVF could prevent 366,622 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, replacing 500 diesel-only vehicles by 2028.
    Dom Kalasih says the 27-million-dollar fund will help Transporting New Zealand’s members get zero and low carbon trucks on the road, reducing transport emissions.
    “The road freight sector is committed to decarbonisation, including adopting low and zero emission vehicles. However, the high purchase cost and limited range and freight capacity of many available models is a big barrier to uptake. In a low margin industry like ours, practical support from the Government is essential.”
    “Battery electric trucks cost between 2-3 times more than internal combustion equivalents, with limited range and loads. Freight customers are understandably price sensitive, particularly in the current economic climate, and this can make low and zero emission freight services a tough sell.”
    Transporting New Zealand is also calling for the Government to prioritise three actions to support decarbonisation in the road freight sector:
    – introduce accelerated depreciation for low and zero emission vehicles (including higher productivity motor vehicles);
    – reform the vehicle dimension and mass rules to allow more battery weight on front axles; and
    – strengthen roads surfaces and bridges to allow heavier, more efficient, electric vehicles and high productivity motor vehicles to access more of the roading network.
    “Co-funding vehicle purchases is an important piece of the puzzle, but getting our regulatory settings and roading network ready for more efficient vehicles is also essential to increasing uptake and driving down emissions.”
    Transporting New Zealand is currently working with several other transport associations and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi to propose practical amendments to the Land Transport Rules that will improve freight efficiency. 
    About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
    Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country. 
    Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4,700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greenpeace occupies Straterra’s Wellington HQ in seabed mining protest

    Source: Greenpeace

    Greenpeace activists have occupied the Wellington offices of the mining lobby group Straterra to protest plans to Fast Track its client Trans-Tasman Resources’ seabed mining in the South Taranaki Bight.
    Three activists have locked themselves inside the building, and two more have climbed onto an awning at the front of the building to deploy a large ‘No Seabed Mining’ banner.
    Greenpeace says this action is “a demonstration of the resistance promised” in a recently published open letter to all companies considering using the Fast Track Approvals process. More than 7,500 people have signed on to the letter so far.
    A second company seeking consent for seabed mining in the area has just confirmed they are voluntarily withdrawing, citing regulatory uncertainty as one of the reasons, along with the emergence of an offshore wind energy generation proposal that would be incompatible with the seabed mining industry.
    Greenpeace says that’s evidence that the pressure is working.
    Australian mining company TTR is vying to mine 50 million tons of iron sands in the South Taranaki Bight every year for 30 years. The company has made no secret of the fact it will use the much-maligned Fast Track Bill to get a green light after years of opposition by Taranaki hapū, environmentalists, the fishing industry and marine mammal experts.
    Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Juressa Lee says, “We’re taking this action to highlight the danger that Trans-Tasman Resources may slip through the Fast Track process, despite years of community opposition and rejection by the courts.
    “We’re also highlighting the role played by the mining industry lobbyist Straterra, which has the ear of this government and is pushing this extractive, polluting project.
    “Straterra is a malignant force in New Zealand politics, operating in the shadows and backrooms to exert a pernicious influence over Government policies. Straterra’s stated objectives would shock all New Zealanders who value the natural world and a healthy democracy.
    “Today, we will drag Straterra’s dirty business into the sunlight and expose their malevolent intentions for all to see.
    “TTR has tried and failed for more than a decade to get approval to mine the seabed because it was never able to show that it wouldn’t cause substantial harm to the environment. If seabed mining is fast tracked, it will be in contempt of all expert advice and the wishes of local iwi, environmental groups, Taranaki communities and the 60,000 New Zealanders who have signed the petition calling for it to be banned.”
    Lee says it’s clear that even the coalition’s own supporters are against the Fast Track too.
    Recent Horizon Research polling shows that 55% of NZ First supporters do not support the Fast Track Bill, an increase from 36% of respondents in May 2024.
    “The Luxon coalition government needs to stop listening to Stratera and start listening to their constituency, and the broader public that are saying they do not want seabed mining, and they do not want seabed mining fast tracked.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greenpeace seabed mining protest extends to a second site

    Source: Greenpeace

    After five Greenpeace activists occupied the Wellington offices of mining lobby group Straterra to protest seabed mining by its client Trans Tasman Resources today, two more have scaled a tower near Parliament and deployed a 22-meter banner that reads No Seabed Mining.
    Greenpeace says today’s action is “a demonstration of the resistance promised” in a recently published open letterto all companies considering using the Fast Track Approvals process.
    Spokesperson Juressa Lee says that while today’s focus has been on Trans Tasman Resources and their plan to mine the seabed of the South Taranaki Bight, it should also be a warning to any company considering using the Fast Track approvals process that they will face resistance.
    Earlier in the day, three Greenpeace activists gained entry to the Straterra HQ and locked it from the inside to prevent entry. They then proceeded to tweet images from a Straterra document outlining its intention to influence Government policy and clear the way for mining on the seabed and on conservation land.
    Meanwhile, two more activists climbed onto the awning outside the Straterra offices and firefighters and erected a large banner reading No Seabed Mining.
    All five activists at the Straterra building were eventually arrested by police.
    Australian mining company TTR is vying to mine 50 million tons of iron sands in the South Taranaki Bight every year for 30 years. The company has made no secret of the fact it will use the much-maligned Fast Track Bill to get a green light after years of opposition by Taranaki hapū, environmentalists, the fishing industry and marine mammal experts.
    Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Juressa Lee said, “We’re taking this action to highlight the danger that Trans-Tasman Resources may slip through the Fast Track process, despite years of community opposition and rejection by the courts.
    “We’re also highlighting the role played by the mining industry lobbyist Straterra, which has the ear of this government and is pushing this extractive, polluting project.
    “Straterra is a malignant force in New Zealand politics, operating in the shadows and backrooms to exert a pernicious influence over Government policies. Straterra’s stated objectives would shock all New Zealanders who value the natural world and a healthy democracy.
    “Today, we have dragged Straterra’s dirty business into the sunlight and expose their malevolent intentions for all to see.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 500 Years of the Three Leagues Free State – Diet in Valchava, Val Müstair

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

    Source: Switzerland – Canton Government of Grisons in Italian

    The Diet of 6 October 2024 in Val Müstair will be the seventh and final Diet in the 500th anniversary celebrations. The whole day on Sunday will be dedicated to gratitude towards nature and history, but there will also be time for fun and celebration.

    Even before the founding of the Free State of the Three Leagues, Val Müstair was an important transit and trade route. However, the valley has also been the scene of dramatic war events on several occasions. In its anniversary year, the municipality of Val Müstair is recalling its history and its significance for the present and the future. The Diet takes place on the same day as the traditional harvest festival. The combination of the two festivals allows us to delve into the history, nature and culture that characterise Val Müstair today. The play written especially by Eva and Magnus Schleich and performed for the anniversary by the theatre groups of Val Müstair offers insights into the conflicts that have characterised the valley in the past.

    Varied programmeThe day will begin at 10:45 a.m. with a short ecumenical service in the open air at the eastern entrance to the village of Valchava. Immediately afterwards, at 11:10 a.m., the traditional large Thanksgiving procession will begin at the same location with the participation of folklore associations, music societies, pupils from the schools of Val Müstair as well as festively decorated floats and animals. The festivities with speeches by State Councillor Marcus Caduff, Mayor Gabriella Binkert and Grand Councillor Rico Lamprecht will begin at 2 p.m.

    Theatre performance «Spranza chi vegnan meglders temps» (Hoping for better times), 3:00 p.m.The theatre performance about the Free State of the Three Leagues shows the dramatic nature of the time. The introduction to the play reads: «This alliance, signed 500 years ago, is unique, not least in light of the current threat to democratic rights. But all that glitters is not gold.» The performance alternates between historical scenes and discussions between the actors, with the director’s explanations leading from one scene to the next. Always hoping for better times. The theatre performance will also be performed on Wednesday, 2 October, and Friday, 4 October, at 5:00 p.m.

    The celebrations will take place in Valchava. The village will be richly decorated. More than 70 stalls will offer regional specialties, a refreshment point invites you to take a break. Of course, there will be musical entertainment and a children’s program. The cheerful festival will offer the population and guests from near and far a chance to have fun. The Diet will mark the fitting end of the jubilee year celebrations. The detailed program is available in the attachment, as well as on https://500.gr.ch/bundstag-valmuestair.

    We recommend travelling by public transport. Thanks to the offer “Return for the price of a single journey”, those going to the Diete only have to pay for the outward journey. The return journey to the starting point in the Canton of Graubünden is free.

    Further anniversary activities until the end of 2024A number of other anniversary-related activities will take place in all language regions until the end of 2024. These can be found at https://500.gr.ch.

    Photograph:

    Landsgemeinde celebration at Plaun Schumpeder, Sta. Maria, Val Müstair, around 1920, photo by Gian Battista Gross. Grisons State Archives, N2.1420.

    Attached:

    Anniversary flyer Diet in Val Müstair (Romansh/German)

    Contact persons:

    Questions about the 500th anniversary celebrations:

    Prime Minister Dr. Jon Domenic Parolini, Director of the Department of Education, Culture and Environmental Protection, e-mailJondomenic.Parolini@ekud.gr.ch
    Daniel Camenisch, project manager «500 years of the Three Leagues Free State», tel. 41 78 659 63 60, e-mailcamenisch@vinavant.ch

    Questions about the Diet in Val Müstair:

    Competent body: Department of Education, Culture and Environmental Protection

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Renovation program: almost 2.3 thousand Muscovites became owners of new apartments in Mozhaisk district

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    About 2.3 thousand Muscovites have become owners of new apartments under the renovation program in the Mozhaisk district since the beginning of the year. This was reported by the Minister of the Moscow Government, the head of the capital’s Department of City Property Maxim Gaman.

    “The largest number of right holders who have signed contracts for new apartments since the beginning of 2024 live in the Mozhaisk district – about 2.3 thousand city residents. In total, 4.3 thousand residents of 31 old houses in the district have completed the necessary documents for new apartments in nine new buildings,” said Maxim Gaman.

    This year, the top three leaders in terms of the number of title holders of new housing also included the Severnoye Izmailovo and Metrogorodok districts. There, over 1.7 thousand and over 1.4 thousand residents, respectively, have drawn up documents for apartments.

    Under the renovation program, city residents are provided with comfortable housing in modern areas with developed infrastructure instead of outdated housing stock.

    Earlier Sergei Sobyanin told, that in September, 11 new buildings throughout the city will be handed over for occupancy under the renovation program.

    Renovation program approved in August 2017. It concerns about a million Muscovites and provides for the resettlement of 5,176 houses. In 2023 alone, 59 new buildings in the capital were handed over for settlement and the resettlement of over 47 thousand people was ensured.

    Moscow is one of the leaders among regions in terms of construction rates and volumes. Over the past five years, within the framework of the federal project “Housing” of the national project “Housing and Urban Environment” the volume of construction and commissioning of residential facilities in the capital has doubled – from three to five to seven million square meters per year. More information about this and other national projects being implemented in Moscow can be found find out here.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/144370073/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SEE attends Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Working Group on Environmental Protection (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, today (September 24) led a delegation to Shenzhen to attend the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Working Group on Environmental Protection meeting. Also attending the meeting were the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment), Miss Janice Tse; the Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui; and representatives from the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the Environmental Protection Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
          
         Various collaboration issues were discussed in the meeting, including landfill management, marine pollution prevention and control, and cross-border transportation using new energy. Both sides reported on the progress of various work items and exchanged views at the meeting. For example, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has completed a freezing survey of the number and locations of oyster rafts in Deep Bay, and will continue to maintain close communication with Shenzhen regarding the management of the oyster rafts. As for the North East New Territories Landfill, Hong Kong has implemented a series of improvement measures and will continue to collaborate with Shenzhen to further enhance the odour control at the Landfill.
          
         Mr Tse said, “I look forward to continuing to strengthen communication and co-operation with Shenzhen on ecological and environmental protection through the Joint Working Group, which is a highly meaningful platform, so as to enhance the work on environmental protection and ecology, and to make proactive contributions to our country’s ecological civilisation and building a beautiful China.”

         Mr Tse will return to Hong Kong this evening.   

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: France: EIB and European Commission provide €276 million in support for Métropole Européenne de Lille’s investments in sustainable mobility

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • Métropole Européenne de Lille is receiving a €245 million green loan from the EIB to back its modernisation and urban transport projects.
    • This financing comes together with a €31.5 million grant from the European Commission via the public sector loan facility (PSLF) set up under the European Green Deal’s Just Transition Mechanism (JTM).
    • This joint blended financing support from the EIB and European Commission will unlock additional investment for public entities in the European regions most affected by the energy transition.

    Métropole Européenne de Lille (Lille metropolitan authority) has taken out a €245 million green loan with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to fund its public transport network and cycle routes. It aims to provide 1.2 million local residents with more efficient, affordable and environmentally friendly transport services.

    This project is also benefiting from a €31.5 million European Commission grant under a blended financing structure made possible by the public sector loan facility (PSLF), which is one of the key pillars of the Just Transition Mechanism (JTM) set up under the European Green Deal. The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) will manage this grant and monitor the implementation of the project.

    The Mel in Green Mobility project will provide funding for various segments of Métropole Européenne de Lille’s public transport infrastructure. The first part of the project covers the modernisation of the public transport fleet, including the renewal of 30 trams and 42 buses with new clean vehicles. It also features investments in platforms, depots and other related facilities. Lastly, the project supports the Métropole’s ambitious cycling plan including 220 km of additional infrastructure between 2023 and 2027 to improve safety for cyclists, the financing of a new bus rapid transit line, and the construction of a multimodal interchange hub.

    It thereby aims to accelerate changes in user behaviour by developing a more efficient and sustainable mobility service, improving public transport accessibility and broadening soft mobility options. Once complete, the project will have improved tram and bus network performance, promoted intermodality (reduction in the share of private vehicles from 56% in 2023 to 40% in 2035) and diversified public transport in the area. This increased network efficiency will ultimately result in substantial time savings on the 410 000 daily journeys made by users, fewer traffic jams and better access to the Métropole Européenne de Lille.

    The regions most affected by the energy transition (like Hauts-de-France) are identified in the territorial just transition plans. These plans are drawn up by each EU Member State and outline the challenges to be addressed in each just transition region, together with the development needs and targets to be reached by 2030.

    Background information

    About the EIB

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its 27 Member States. It provides loans to the public and private sectors for sound investment contributing to EU policy goals. In 2023, France received more EIB financing for the energy and green transition than any other country, with an overall investment of €6.9 billion for renewable energy, clean mobility and energy efficiency. A partner of regional authorities, last year the EIB directed €2.3 billion in funding to rail and urban public transport and soft mobility, making it the number one sector in terms of EIB investment in France over the year.

    About the European Commission’s Just Transition Mechanism

    The public sector loan facility (PSLF) is the third pillar of the Just Transition Mechanism (JTM) – a key tool of the European Green Deal investment plan to make sure that no one and no region is left behind in the transition to a climate-neutral economy.

    The public sector loan facility combines loans from the EIB (up to around €6 billion to €8 billion overall) and grants from the European Commission (up to €1.3 billion overall). The combined support is designed to mobilise additional investment for public sector entities in the European regions most affected by the climate and energy transition (like Hauts-de-France), as identified in the national territorial just transition plans, to meet their development needs as part of the transition to a climate-neutral economy. These plans are developed by each EU Member State and set out the challenges in each just transition region, along with the development needs and objectives to be met by 2030.

    The blend of the EIB loan and the European Commission grant will facilitate the financing of projects that do not generate sufficient revenue streams to cover their investment costs. The implementation of the public sector loan facility is managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA).

    About Métropole Européenne de Lille

    Métropole Européenne de Lille works every day to serve its 95 member municipalities and 1.2 million residents. It covers the key areas of transport, housing, economy, public space and roadways, urban planning, urban policy, water, wastewater, household waste, disability access, nature and living environment, sport, tourism and crematoria. Chaired by Damien Castelain since 18 April 2014, the Metropolitan Council is composed of 184 members elected by direct universal suffrage for a six-year mandate.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Universities – Crown-of-thorns starfish thrive in degraded coral habitats – UoS

    Source: University of Sydney (UoS)

    Better understanding of how reefs degrade will help marine conservation work – Research into one of the most persistent coral predators on the Great Barrier Reef has revealed a troubling paradox in reef ecosystems: the crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) appears to thrive in the very conditions of coral degradation it helps create.

    This work, from Professor Maria Byrne at the University of Sydney and marine science researcher Dr Kennedy Wolfe, sheds light on the interactions between coral health and the population dynamics of COTS, offering critical insights for conservation efforts.

    Professor Byrne from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Sydney said: “This research reinforces our understanding that resilient species have the upper hand when adjusting to altered habitats. Unfortunately, in the case of the Great Barrier Reef, one of these resilient species – the crown-of-thorns starfish – is one of its most persistent coral predators.”

    Negative feedback: how the degraded reef framework operates. Image: Wolfe and Byrne

    Coral reefs, often referred to as the “rainforests of the sea”, are vital ecosystems that support a diverse array of marine life. However, these ecosystems are under severe threat from various stressors, including climate change, pollution and overfishing. Among the most significant challenges are outbreaks of COTS, which can decimate coral populations and lead to widespread reef degradation.

    This study, published in the Marine Environmental Research journal, proposes a “degraded reef hypothesis”, to better understand how COTS remain so persistent, despite extensive efforts to manage their impact.

    The degraded reef framework explains how the loss of live coral, which crown-of-thorns starfish feed off, paradoxically benefits juvenile COTS. As live coral diminishes, these starfish accumulate in rubble habitats, which serve as juvenile nurseries.

    This accumulation of juveniles-in-waiting can promote a pulsed emergence of COTS as they transition into coral-eating adults when corals start to recover. This exacerbates the cycle of coral loss and reef degradation.

    “Our previous research has shown that juvenile COTS can wait for just the right moment to emerge in large numbers; sometimes up to six years,” Professor Byrne said.

    Professor Byrne and Dr Wolfe’s research emphasises that the very conditions that lead to coral degradation – such as heatwaves, cyclones and pollution – create favourable environments for COTS to thrive. This resilience poses a significant challenge for reef management and conservation strategies, as efforts to restore coral health may inadvertently support the proliferation of these destructive starfish.

    “Our findings reveal a critical feedback loop in reef ecosystems,” said Dr Wolfe, who started his research career as a PhD student at the University of Sydney.

    “COTS populations may thrive as coral reefs degrade, leading to further coral loss. This cycle not only threatens corals but also the range of species that depend on healthy reefs for survival,” he said.

    Professor Byrne said: “This feedback loop explains repeated outbreaks on the Great Barrier Reef, despite exhaustive management through manual culling.”

    These findings underscore the need for a multifaceted approach to coral reef conservation that addresses the root causes of degradation while also considering broad ecological dynamics at play.

    Professor Byrne said: “Effective management strategies must account for the resilience of crown-of-thorns starfish and their ability to exploit degraded habitats. These coral predators are a symptom of ongoing environmental impact.”

    By understanding the relationship between coral health and COTS populations, conservationists can develop targeted interventions that mitigate the impacts of these starfish. This may include habitat restoration efforts that focus on enhancing coral resilience, as well as strategies to manage nutrient runoff and sedimentation.

    This latest study adds to the impressive work that Professor Byrne and her team have undertaken, which has improved our understanding of how the crown-of-thorns starfish is able to persist as a pest species on the Great Barrier Reef.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Universities – Charging ahead towards future low-cost polymer zinc-ion batteries – Flinders

    Source: Flinders University

    With global demand for lithium-ion batteries fast depleting reserves of raw materials, experts are seeking safe, affordable and reliable alternatives for rechargeable batteries.
    Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) could be the answer to producing low-cost alternatives from abundant feedstocks, and Flinders University scientists are paving the way for the production of simple and practical polymer AZIBs using organic cathodes for more sustainable energy storage technology.
    “Aqueous zinc-ion batteries could have real-world applications,” says Associate Professor in Chemistry Zhongfan Jia, a nanotech researcher at the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University.
    From electric vehicles to portable electronic devices, the demand and consumption of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have led to resource shortages and supply-chain issues of strategic metals including lithium and cobalt.
    Meanwhile, millions of spent batteries, most of which are not properly recycled, have caused enormous waste and environmental risks – which future alternatives such as AIZBs promise to reduce.
    “Among these alternatives, AZIBs stand out because of the much higher abundance of zinc in the earth’s crust (ten times more than lithium), and their low toxicity and high safety.”
    AZIBs usually use zinc metal as an anode and inorganic or organic compounds as a cathode. While substantial work has been devoted to improving the stability of zinc anodes, high-performing cathodes are needed and remain a major challenge.
    “Our research is building conductivity using nitroxide radical polymer cathodes made from cheap commercial polymer and optimised the battery performance using low-cost additives,” says Associate Professor Jia, who leads a research group working on Sustainable Polymers for Energy and Environment.
    “Our work reevaluated the use of high redox potential nitroxide radical polymers cathodes in AZIBs, and produced the highest mass loading so far,” he says, about a new online journal article in the Journal of Power Resources.
    The study, led by Flinders master student Nanduni Gamage and postdoc fellow Dr Yanlin Shi, developed a lab-made pouch battery using scaled-up polymer (at approx. cost $20 / kg), a non-fluoro Zn(ClO4)2 electrolyte, and BP 2000 carbon black ($1 / kg) without binder to provide a capacity of nearly 70 mAh g-1 and a middle discharge voltage of 1.4 V.
    With a mass loading of 50 mg cm-2, the pouch battery had a capacity of 60 mAh, which can easily power a small electric fan and a model car (see videos in the article).  
    Collaborators in the study, including Dr Jesús Santos-Peña, from the Université Paris Est Creteil CNRS in France, and other experts from the Flinders University Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology.
    The article Converting a low-cost industrial polymer into organic cathodes for high mass-loading aqueous zinc-ion batteries (2024) by Nanduni SW Gamage, Yanlin Shi, Chanaka J Mudugamuwa, Jesús Santos-Peña, David A Lewis, Justin M Chalker and Zhongfan Jia has been published in Energy Storage Materials. 
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ensm.2024.103731.
    In collaboration with Griffith University, the team has also recently developed the organic radical/K dual-ion batteries, a technique that can also relieve dependence on lithium-ion batteries.
    This article Morphological engineering of PTAm@CNTs cathode for high-rate potassium dual-ion battery (2024) by Zhenzhen Wu, Yanlin Shi, Chanaka J. Mudugamuwa, Pan Yang, Hao Chen, Yuhui Tian, Milton Kiefel, Shanqing Zhang, Zhongfan Jia has been published in Journal of Power Resources. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2024.235134.
    Acknowledgements: This project is supported by funding from the Australian Research Council (DP230100587, DP230100642, LE230100168) and the French-Australian International Research Network on Conversion and Energy Storage (IRN-FACES). The authors also acknowledge the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) SA node for supporting the electroanalytical and electrochemical synthesis labs at Flinders University.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Powering Africa: new model compares options for off-grid solar in 43 countries

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Hamish Beath, Research Associate in Societal Transitions, Imperial College London

    Sub-Saharan Africa, home to 80% of the global population without electricity access, is unlikely to reach the United Nations’ goal of access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030.

    The region is significantly behind the rest of the world. Globally, access to electricity increased from 79% of the population in 2000 to 90% in 2019. In sub-Saharan Africa, access to electricity rose from 26% to 47%, and most who don’t have access live in rural areas, according to World Bank data.

    The World Bank predicts that, based on current electricity connection and population growth trends, sub-Saharan Africa will have more than 400 million people unconnected to electricity by 2030.

    A lack of access to reliable electricity has a significant negative impact on living standards. For example, it can limit the provision of quality public services such as healthcare, education and water. It also creates a barrier to access to digital services, holding back participation in an increasingly digital global economy.

    Lack of access is not the only challenge for sub-Saharan African countries. Existing connections are unreliable too. About 43% of Africans had access to electricity that worked “most” or “all” of the time in 2022. Reliability issues are typically more common in rural areas.

    Just two sub-Saharan African countries have electricity grids without significant outages: Angola and Botswana. Outages reduce the benefits electricity offers to households and businesses, and create demand for expensive and typically polluting fuel-run generators.

    Studies have proposed off-grid solar generated electricity as one possible solution for economies with poor electricity access. In some locations, they are the lowest-cost option, and can enable electricity access without building electricity grid infrastructure – transmission and distribution networks.

    Some of these studies, however, may have underestimated the potential benefits of off-grid solar power. This is because they don’t consider the cost impacts of poor reliability or of carbon price schemes.

    I was part of a team of scientists using a new approach to assessing the cost of different energy access options. It combines modelling individual energy systems with spatial data covering large areas. Our approach allows us to put a cost to the reliability and the pollution of different sources of electricity. When you account for these, the relative attractiveness of technologies may change.

    Our research explores the role off-grid solar could play in different scenarios in Africa. It covered 43 countries for which data is available, and that are home to more than 99% of the continent’s population without access. Below, we will highlight two countries, Nigeria and Mozambique.

    Cost of carbon and cost of poor reliability

    Using our new approach, we analyse which parts of each country would find solar to be the cheapest technology. We do this at a fine level of detail. Our scenarios include either a carbon price, or a penalty for poor reliability. We can show what policy would make the greatest impact in a given location.

    Electricity access can be arranged into tiers that combine different levels of wattage, hours of availability, number of disruptions, affordability and so on.

    For our medium electricity demand scenario (tier 3), our modelling suggests that off-grid solar would be cheapest for 65 million more people if you applied a carbon price to the calculation. If you applied a reliability penalty, off-grid solar would be cheapest for 80 million more people.

    Carbon markets are financial markets which put a price on emitting greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. These markets influence the relative cost and shares of different electricity generation technologies. However, the use of carbon credits on the African continent remains limited as they are a relatively new initiative on the continent.

    The reliability of supply is crucial in determining the value of a connection. Poor reliability can lead to reduced security and reduced household income.

    Off-grid solar systems may offer improved reliability when compared to national grid networks.

    To demonstrate our methods and findings more clearly, let’s look at two countries in more detail: Nigeria and Mozambique.

    Nigeria

    Nigeria has an unreliable grid, with service levels worse in rural areas. Our analysis projects that Nigeria will have as many as 55 million households – around 20% of the population – without electricity access in 2030. In our research, we find that off-grid solar would be the cheapest way for connecting between 5% and 60% of these people to electricity.

    But solar’s economic viability versus the traditional grid network depends on the level of demand for electricity. At low electricity usage (tier 2 or 200Wh per day), off-grid solar beats traditional electricity grid networks. It meets the energy needs of a higher proportion of the population (60%) at lower cost.

    The reverse is true when demand for electricity is higher (tier 4 or 3,400Wh per day). Under this scenario, high electricity usage demands traditional electricity grids.

    Poor reliability of national electricity grids is an issue on the continent. When the costs of poor reliability are included in the calculation, solar becomes more competitive. It meets the needs of between 38% and 65% of the 55 million households in Nigeria.

    This finding highlights that to provide reliable access, focusing on off-grid solar may be the best solution. Nigeria is already using subsidies to encourage this.



    Read more:
    Nigeria’s chronic power shortages: mini grids were going to crack the problem for rural people, but they haven’t. Here’s why

    Mozambique

    In Mozambique, we estimate that more than 16 million people (40% of the population) will remain without access to electricity by 2030. As it is for Nigeria, off-grid solar power is cheaper for lower electricity usage levels. Off-grid solar would, by our estimates, be cheapest for between 28% and 88% of the 16 million people, depending on demand levels.

    When carbon pricing is factored in, this increases to 88% from 50%, with the greatest impact seen at higher demand levels. Our research also shows the carbon price levels that are effective at different demand levels, for different parts of the country.

    Due to differences in the costs of different technologies in different places, there is variation in policy effectiveness and thresholds. When considering where carbon credit schemes may be most effective, stakeholders should consider areas highlighted as seeing a shift in technology at the lower price level.



    Read more:
    Mozambique’s unstable and expensive power supply is devastating small businesses – study examines what’s gone wrong

    Targeted policy can boost access and reliability in Africa

    When considering energy policy across a large region, country-specific and localised factors are paramount. We do not pretend to capture all of these in our research. However, our use of spatial data, and country-level demand and supply modelling, tries to move in the right direction.

    Hamish Beath receives funding from UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and Research England GCRF QR Funding, UK.

    – ref. Powering Africa: new model compares options for off-grid solar in 43 countries – https://theconversation.com/powering-africa-new-model-compares-options-for-off-grid-solar-in-43-countries-232192

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Mass animal extinctions: our new tool can show why large mammals – like the topi – are in decline

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Joseph Ogutu, Senior Researcher and Statistician, University of Hohenheim

    We could be witnessing the sixth mass extinction at an alarming rate worldwide. It’s marked by the rapid loss of species due to human activities like habitat destruction, pollution and climate change. Unlike previous mass extinctions, which were caused by natural events, this one is driven by human impact – like growing populations, pollution, invasive plant species and human-wildlife conflict.

    Large mammals are especially at risk, in Africa as elsewhere. For instance, nearly 60% of wild herbivores – such as elephants and hippos – are already threatened with extinction.

    Effective conservation and recovery strategies are needed. To develop them, you need to know how the population of a certain animal is doing and, if it is in decline, what’s causing it.

    One tool that’s useful here is a model, using biology, maths, statistics and computer software.

    The problem is that there aren’t enough of these realistic, effective models for large mammals. There’s a shortage of appropriate data and the models are complex to build.

    I was part of a team that developed a model to help fill that void. It’s the first to account for how large mammal populations interact with each other and their environment while also incorporating their detailed biology. It draws on valuable existing data and can be adapted for various wildlife species.

    We tested the model on populations of east Africa’s topi (a large antelope). From the results we’re able to deduce that the drivers of the topi’s massive population decline were habitat loss, poaching and killing by predators.

    Knowing what’s driving population declines is extremely valuable. Large mammals play a critical role in ecosystems. Changes to their populations will also affect many other species and could cause the extinction of connected species.

    How the model works

    Our model combines different types of data, like total population size from aerial surveys and ground vehicle counts, with predicted data on population figures. This allows us to estimate and track population trends that can’t be captured by just one data type. It considers factors like animal age, sex, gestation length, weaning period, calves per birth per year, birth rates, survival, and environmental influences like rainfall and temperature.

    Essentially, the model starts with educated guesses, then updates these guesses as it processes more observed data.

    The model can tell what causes a decline in two ways.

    First, it finds out which factors (such as rainfall) have a strong negative impact on things like birth rates, survival or recruitment, and shows exactly how they affect each other.

    Second, it lets us use simulations to see how changing one of these factors, while keeping others unchanged, changes the population by influencing its key characteristics (such as birth rate).

    Testing the model on topi

    We tested our model on the topi population found in Kenya, Tanzania and other African countries. We chose the topi because it’s a large herbivore in decline.

    The topi is an elegant antelope weighing between 91kg and 147kg, with a long face and uniquely twisted horns. One of the largest remaining topi populations in east Africa occurs in the Greater Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem, which straddles the border between Kenya and Tanzania.

    Kenya’s Directorate of Resource Surveys and Remote Sensing has, since 1977, monitored numbers and distribution of topi, and other large wild herbivores and livestock, using aerial surveys in the country’s rangelands, covering 88% of Kenya.

    Based on this data, we can see that topi numbers have declined persistently and strikingly (by 84.5%) in Kenya’s Masai Mara ecosystem between 1977 and 2022, even those in protected conservation areas.

    This decline indicates a high risk of extinction if the trend persists. This is a serious concern, since other antelope species, such as the roan, have gone extinct in the Mara in recent decades.

    But the causes haven’t been fully established.

    We ran the aerial and ground survey data into the model in a computer on a monthly interval. This approach allows the model to capture patterns in trends and dynamics on a monthly scale. It allows us to see the distribution of births per month, the timing of births, the degree to which multiple females in a population give birth around the same time, the proportion of females in a population that give birth, the total number of individuals of each age and sex in each month, and the proportion of young that survive to adulthood.

    The model starts with initial guesses based on existing knowledge, and refines the guesses as it processes more actual data.

    It produces results that match the observed patterns of population decline, seasonality of births and how many animals survive to become juveniles or to adulthood.

    Based on these findings, we see that the decline in the topi population is driven by a combination of low adult female numbers, low newborn survival and low recruitment into the adult class because most young (over 95%) die before they become adults.

    Based on the model, we attribute these changes to impacts from environmental changes, human activities and predation. For instance, since adult animals are the least sensitive to climatic changes, this suggests other factors – such as habitat loss or deterioration, poaching or high predation rates – are likely contributing to the decline.

    The new model enhances our understanding of large herbivore population dynamics besides confirming existing knowledge.

    By combining different kinds of data from different sources, the model helps estimate and track important population details that one type of data alone can’t show. For example, for the first time data is captured that can track the total number of topi of each age and sex in each month, how many adult female topi are ready to conceive and the various stages of pregnancy. This method also estimates changes in the total topi population by age and sex in all four zones of the Mara, even in zones without direct ground age and sex data.

    Refining and enhancing the model

    The team is now extending the model to include more features (like the influence of livestock numbers), make it user friendly, apply it to more wildlife species and assess the effectiveness of ongoing and planned management actions.

    Improving our understanding of the drivers of large mammal losses will ensure that the right conservation actions are taken. It’ll also ensure resources aren’t wasted because solutions could include investing in major infrastructure, changing wildlife conservation and livestock production policies, changing law enforcement and rehabilitation of wildlife habitats – all of which are costly.

    Joseph Ogutu has received funding from the German Research Foundation and the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program. He is affiliated with the non-profits: One Mara-Research Hub (OMRH) and the Greater Serengeti Conservation Society. This research was partly funded by the World Wide Fund for Nature–East Africa Program and Friends of Conservation.

    – ref. Mass animal extinctions: our new tool can show why large mammals – like the topi – are in decline – https://theconversation.com/mass-animal-extinctions-our-new-tool-can-show-why-large-mammals-like-the-topi-are-in-decline-233882

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Flooding impacts from heavy rainfall on Monday 23 September

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Heavy rain and thunderstorms on Monday 23 September have led to flooding in parts of England.

    Heavy rain and thunderstorms on Monday 23 September have led to flooding in parts of England. These impacts include a combination of surface water flooding and some flooding from small, largely urban watercourses. At least 45 properties have flooded across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Kent and the Home Counties.

    Environment Agency staff are out on the ground, clearing blockages and supporting local authorities in their response work.

    Flooding on roads is likely to lead to travel disruption. We advise people to follow the advice of local emergency services on the roads and not to drive through flood water – just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float a car.

    The flood risk reduces tomorrow with a drier day forecast, but for the moment we continue to urge people to keep an eye on the weather, check their flood risk, and take care planning their journeys.

    Sarah Cook, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

    Due to heavy persistent rain and thunderstorms, there have been localised surface water flooding impacts in parts of England today.

    Environment Agency teams are out on the ground, and ready to support local authorities in responding to surface water flooding. We urge people to plan their journeys carefully, follow the advice of local emergency services on the roads and not to drive through flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.

    People should check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation as well as following @EnvAgency on X, formerly Twitter, for the latest flood updates.

    The Environment Agency recognises the threat from surface water flooding, and is taking action to improve the country’s resilience – for instance supporting local flood authorities to enhance local surface water flood risk mapping. See our blog on surface water flooding for more information.

    Updates to this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Sues ExxonMobil for Deceiving the Public on Recyclability of Plastic Products

    Source: US State of California

    The first-of-its-kind lawsuit seeks to hold one of the largest petrochemical companies in the world accountable for misleading the public on plastic’s recyclability and polluting California’s environment and communities 

    SAN FRANCISCO — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the filing of a lawsuit against ExxonMobil for allegedly engaging in a decades-long campaign of deception that caused and exacerbated the global plastics pollution crisis. In a complaint filed in the San Francisco County Superior Court, the Department of Justice alleges that ExxonMobil has been deceiving Californians for half a century through misleading public statements and slick marketing promising that recycling would address the ever-increasing amount of plastic waste ExxonMobil produces. Through this lawsuit, the Attorney General seeks to compel ExxonMobil, which promotes and produces the largest amount of polymers—essentially the building blocks used to make single-use plastic—that become plastic waste in California, to end its deceptive practices that threaten the environment and the public. Attorney General Bonta also seeks to secure an abatement fund, disgorgement, and civil penalties for the harm inflicted by plastics pollution upon California’s communities and the environment.

    “Plastics are everywhere, from the deepest parts of our oceans, the highest peaks on earth, and even in our bodies, causing irreversible damage—in ways known and unknown—to our environment and potentially our health,” said Attorney General Bonta. “For decades, ExxonMobil has been deceiving the public to convince us that plastic recycling could solve the plastic waste and pollution crisis when they clearly knew this wasn’t possible. ExxonMobil lied to further its record-breaking profits at the expense of our planet and possibly jeopardizing our health. Today’s lawsuit shows the fullest picture to date of ExxonMobil’s decades-long deception, and we are asking the court to hold ExxonMobil fully accountable for its role in actively creating and exacerbating the plastics pollution crisis through its campaign of deception.”

    ExxonMobil’s Deceptive Marketing

    ExxonMobil is the world’s largest producer of polymers used to make single-use plastics. These materials are produced by ExxonMobil from fossil fuels and are then molded (by other companies) into single-use plastic. For decades, ExxonMobil, one of the most powerful companies in the world, falsely promoted all plastic as recyclable, when in fact the vast majority of plastic products are not and likely cannot be recycled, either technically or economically. This caused consumers to purchase and use more single-use plastic than they otherwise would have due to the company’s misleading public statements and advertising. For instance, through a trade group launched to promote recycling as an alternative to reducing plastics consumption, ExxonMobil placed a 12-page editorial-style advertisement in a July 1989 edition of Time magazine titled “The URGENT NEED TO RECYCLE.” This “advertorial” highlighted recycling as a smart solution for plastic waste and efforts to further recycling and recycling technology. Since 1970, ExxonMobil, through this trade association, also adapted and promoted the chasing arrows symbol for plastics. This symbol is now strongly associated with recycling and consumers are led to believe that items with the symbol can and will be recycled when placed in the recycling stream. In reality, only about 5 percent of U.S. plastic waste is recycled, and the recycling rate has never exceeded 9 percent. 

    More recently, ExxonMobil continues to deceive the public by touting “advanced recycling”  as the solution to the plastic waste and pollution crisis. “Advanced recycling” (also known as “chemical recycling”) is an umbrella term used by the plastics industry to describe a variety of heat or solvent-based technologies that can theoretically convert certain types of plastic waste into petrochemical feedstock, which can be used to make new plastic. Under its “advanced recycling” program, ExxonMobil uses heat to break down plastic waste. ExxonMobil promotes its “advanced recycling” program as a breakthrough in technology that will make plastics sustainable but hides important truths about its technical limitations, including that: 

    • The vast majority—92 percent—of plastic waste processed through ExxonMobil’s “advanced recycling” technology does not become recycled plastic, but rather primarily fuels,
    • The plastics that are produced through ExxonMobil’s “advanced recycling” process contain so little plastic waste that they are effectively virgin plastics deceptively marketed as “circular” (co-opting a term typically understood as a full circle of sustainable reuse, where waste becomes raw material) and sold at a premium,
    • ExxonMobil’s “advanced recycling” process cannot handle large amounts of post-consumer plastic waste such as potato chip bags without risking the safety and performance of its equipment,
    • Plastics produced through ExxonMobil’s “advanced recycling” program, in ExxonMobil’s best case scenario, will only account for less than one percent of ExxonMobil’s total virgin plastic production capacity, which continues to grow.

    ExxonMobil’s “advanced recycling” program is nothing more than a public relations stunt meant to encourage the public to keep purchasing single-use plastics that are fueling the plastics pollution crisis.

    ExxonMobil produces the largest amount of single-use plastic that becomes plastic waste. Since 1985, more than 26 million pounds of trash has been collected from California beaches and waterways, approximately 81 percent of which is plastic. Most of the plastic items collected on the annual California Coastal Cleanup Day can be traced to ExxonMobil’s polymer resins.

    Threats Posed by Plastic to the Environment and California Communities

    The global plastics waste and pollution crisis has been driven by the fossil fuel and petrochemical industries. Around the world each year, an estimated 12.1 million tons of plastic waste become aquatic pollution, and 19.8 million tons are polluted to land. Together, that is the equivalent of 4 garbage trucks of plastic waste polluted in the water or land every minute.

    Single-use plastics—plastic packaging, bags, straws, disposable plasticware and utensils, and other products that are typically used once, then disposed—comprise most of the plastic waste that escapes into the environment. Plastic does not biodegrade, instead breaking down into smaller pieces called microplastics. Microplastics have been found in drinking water, food, and even the air people breathe. More recently, microplastics have been found inside the human body: in our lungs, blood, and in breast milk. Through its deception, ExxonMobil has caused or substantially contributed to plastic pollution that has harmed and continues to harm California’s environment, wildlife, and natural resources. 

    California Department of Justice Legal Claims

    On April 28, 2022, the Attorney General launched his investigation into fossil fuel and petrochemical industries for their role in causing the global plastics waste and pollution crisis. As part of its investigation, the DOJ issued investigative subpoenas to ExxonMobil and related plastics industry groups to seek details about the nature and extent of the company’s deception efforts. The DOJ has actively been conducting the investigation into the petrochemical industry for the past two years, including subpoenas that uncovered never-before-seen documents, culminating in today’s lawsuit.

    The lawsuit alleges that ExxonMobil has misled consumers and continues to do so by engaging in an aggressive campaign to deceive the public and perpetuate the myth that recycling will solve the crisis of plastic pollution. For decades, ExxonMobil has dumped the cleanup and environmental costs of its deception and plastic production onto the public, and Californians are paying the price.

    The lawsuit alleges that ExxonMobil’s decades-long campaign of deception violated state nuisance, natural resources, water pollution, false advertisement, and unfair competition laws. The Attorney General is seeking nuisance abatement, disgorgement (which would require the defendants to give up the profits gained through their illegal conduct), and civil penalties; and injunctive relief to both protect California’s natural resources from further pollution, impairment, and destruction, as well as to prevent ExxonMobil from making any further false or misleading statements about plastics recycling and its plastics operations. 

    Joining today’s virtual press conference are Sierra Club, Surfrider Foundation, Heal the Bay, and Baykeeper, who have separately filed their own lawsuit raising similar issues regarding ExxonMobil’s role in causing the global plastics pollution crisis.  

    A copy of the Attorney General’s complaint can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –